Understanding the balance of equations is a key concept of Algebra. Students will use the Illuminations pan balance applet to practice the order of operations in simplifying numerical expressions and to demonstrate the conventions of using algebraic logic in simplifying expressions.
Objectives
Students will:
develop an understanding of equality.
develop algebraic understanding as expressions are simplified involving the order of operations.
Procedure
Using the Illuminations applet show students various expressions that are equal to one another. Expand the expressions. On the lefft side pan have a large expression and the right side of the expression increasingly solve each step using the order of operations. Students use the interactive applet to do each step of the equation. As a group students will complete the following worksheet using the Pan Balance Number applet.
Algebra in Balance
Understanding the balance of equations is a key concept of Algebra. Students will use the Illuminations pan balance applet to practice the order of operations in simplifying numerical expressions and to demonstrate the conventions of using algebraic logic in simplifying expressions.Objectives
Students will:Procedure
Using the Illuminations applet show students various expressions that are equal to one another. Expand the expressions. On the lefft side pan have a large expression and the right side of the expression increasingly solve each step using the order of operations. Students use the interactive applet to do each step of the equation. As a group students will complete the following worksheet using the Pan Balance Number applet.Pan Balance Number
Resource: www.illuminations.nctm.org